Whatever they do on the ice in their late-season dash to secure a playoff berth, the Utica Comets already are a box office smash.

The latest in a long line of Mohawk Valley professional hockey teams over six decades, the Comets recently skated over the 100,000 mark in attendance (104,796 heading into this weekend’s games) at the refurbished Utica Memorial Auditorium. That’s an average of 3,381 in 31 games through March 23, 88 percent of the capacity of 3,815.

The number is by far the highest in the area’s professional history. The Mohawk Valley Comets of the North American Hockey League averaged 2,805 in 1974-75, and no team since — not even the Utica Devils during their six-season American Hockey League tenure from 1987 through 1993 — has done better.

The crowds are gratifying to team President Rob Esche, the former National Hockey League and Team USA Olympic goalie who spearheaded the return of the AHL with Frank DuRoss.

“Obviously, I’m blown away,” Esche said. “I’m pretty excited about the support from a lot of different angles. I think it is an important piece of any community to have pro sports around. … I didn’t think it would have gotten to this level this soon.”

The Comets, affiliated with the Vancouver Canucks, were winless in their first 10 games, but they have had a strong winning record since.

The team’s success hasn’t escaped the notice of AHL President David Andrews.

“I’m very pleased with the results,” he said. “I’m very happy for Robert. For a guy who had not managed a pro sports franchise … he was a little inexperienced, but I’m really impressed with the job he has done.”

How has it all happened so quickly?

The Mohawk Valley’s century-long scholastic, collegiate and professional hockey history helps. Also, Utica College’s successful program, which has ruled the attendance roost in Division III hockey for the better part of a decade, proved there still was a big appetite for the game even in the wake of a multitude of professional failures that saw seven teams come and go between 1973 and 2001.

Esche seems to have hit a high note with his emphasis on what has gone on before. The Comets name, echoing the much-beloved Eastern Hockey League power of the 1950s and 1960s, is an advantage in itself.

“I’m a big history buff,” he said. “Not just sports but in general. How far back you can look is how far ahead you can go.”

Esche, who grew up watching hockey at the Aud and revels in the game’s local lore, said there are many reasons things have gone well.

Page 2 of 2 - “I think it is very easy to see what we are doing and very easy to see it is genuine,” he said. “I was fortunate to be with the Philadelphia Flyers, who I thought knew how to do it right – create a social event. You’re always going to have your hockey fans. They’re very important, but we have the video boards, in-game presentations. I think it is exciting. The building and atmosphere, the players love it, and I’m blown away every night.

“Product is key, and I think the AHL is a terrific league,” he added. “The affordability is terrific for that type of product. I think our game atmosphere is second to none. It is a social event. We are genuinely grateful to the area. We do a great job of giving money back to charity (including his own Save The Day Foundation). I think we do a great job of being real.”

Andrews emphasized the Comets’ presence off the ice as another factor in the team’s success.

“More than anything, Rob and his staff have put in the effort with the community,” Andrews said. “I give him full marks. It’s really been a fun atmosphere. My guess is people are having a fun time.”

DuRoss said future improvements – including a 300-car parking lot planned for Whitesboro Street – will give his organization even more to work with. He said new season ticket sales for 2014-15 are very strong, although he didn’t put a number on them.

Esche said the Mohawk Valley Garden, the corporate entity that now runs the Aud, is healthy and strong, and team sponsors already are excited for next year.

Aside from hockey, the Aud is expected to host a variety of other events in the near future.

“We’ll have concerts within six months,” DuRoss said. “Promoters are interested again. We will bring back an ice show. We have another circus coming. We have the NCAA Division III hockey tournament in 2017.”

DuRoss, who has operated sports franchises in other cities, including the Providence AHL team, said the Comets have exceeded expectations.

“The fan experience has been very strong. … It’s created a buzz in the community.”